The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American-based multinational mass media and entertainment company. Founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney, the original name was Disney Brothers Studio; the company later operated under the names Walt Disney Studio and Walt Disney Productions before changing its name to The Walt Disney Company in 1986. The company was an early leader in the animation industry including creating the well-known cartoon character Mickey Mouse, who serves as the company's primary mascot, and the first color feature-length animated movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937.[1]
The company is one of the biggest and most well-known media companies in the world; along with Disney properties such as its theme parks and entertainment divisions, the company owns several subsidiaries and media products including but not limited to Pixar Animation, ESPN, ABC Broadcasting, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios (formerly of Fox), 20th Century Animation (also formerly of Fox), and Searchlight Pictures.
In Relation to American Girl
In 2022, Mattel, American Girl's parent company, won back the right to produce dolls and toys for the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises, after losing them to Hasbro in 2016.[2][3]
In July 2023, the company paired with American Girl and gemstone company Swarovski for a release of three American Girl Collector Series Dolls based on three iconic Disney Princesses, for the Disney 100 Year Anniversary celebration:
- Disney Princess Rapunzel Collector Doll
- Disney Princess Belle Collector Doll
- Disney Princess Jasmine Collector Doll
The retail cost was $300. Each doll was made in a limited run of 4,000; the dolls could not be shipped outside of the US. Dolls were initially only available to Berry level members of AG Rewards for the first day of sale, then opened to all members the second day and the third to the widespread public. At first, dolls were only sold online and not available in any stores; they later became available in stores. Rapunzel sold out in September, and Belle sold out in November; Jasmine had a cost increase to $315 in June 2024 and sold out in December 2024.
In February 2024, the company again paired with Disney to release the Disney Princess Collection, staring with three more dolls based on Disney Princesses--Tiana, Cinderella, and Ariel. Each character also has two additional outfits with accessories, based on character movie outfits. The dolls initially retailed for $125, and in June 2024, the cost increased to $135. Each outfit retails for $55; accessory sets retail for $40.
The boxes for items are labeled with Disney's logo, the name of the princess, the image of the specific princess, and the princess's name with the Disney Princess logo; boxes also have a glittery ombre background. The tissue paper in the outfit packaging also includes the Disney logo along with the American Girl logo, as do the tags on clothing.
American Girl initially stated that the 2024 release is a new core line for the brand that would have other Disney Princess and Frozen items (which were released later in 2024). The collection cannot be shipped outside of the US and Canada, and not all limited dolls can be shipped to Canada.
- Disney Princess Tiana Doll
- Disney Princess Cinderella Doll
- Disney Princess Ariel Doll
- Disney Princess Tiana Work Dress and Accessories
- Disney Princess Cinderella Day Dress, Friends and Accessories
- Disney Princess Ariel Day Dress, Flounder and Accessories
- Disney Princess Tiana Evening Star Dress and Accessories
- Disney Princess Cinderella Original Ball Gown and Accessories
- Disney Princess Ariel Castle Ball Gown, Sebastian and Accessories
In July 2024, two new limited edition dolls were released with Swarovski collaboration, this time based on the Frozen franchise:
Soon after in August 2024, a general version of Rapunzel was released with two accessory sets:
- Disney Princess Rapunzel Doll
- Disney Princess Rapunzel Hair Accessories
- Disney Princess Rapunzel Painting Accessories and Pascal
In November 2024, a general version of Moana was released with an accessory set:
Also in November 2024, the playline Rapunzel, Tiana, Ariel, and Cinderella dolls became available for pre-order purchase through the Disney Store site; they were previously only available through American Girl. Items did not ship until late December. None of the outfits or accessories were listed on the Disney site and the dolls later were removed from the site.
In February 2025, a general version of Belle was released with an accessory set:
American Girl also released Bitty Baby Cuddle and Care Sets which includes a specific Bitty Baby doll, character-themed outfit, and baby accessories.
- Disney Princess Ariel Cuddle and Care Set
- Disney Princess Moana Cuddle and Care Set
- Disney Princess Rapunzel Cuddle and Care Set
In July 2025, a limited edition Cinderella doll was released with Swarovski collaboration:
In August 2025, general versions of Anna and Elsa were released with two outfits and an accessory set:
- Disney Frozen Anna Doll
- Disney Frozen Elsa Doll
- Disney Frozen Anna Adventure Outfit and Travel Bag
- Disney Frozen Elsa Travel Outfit and Bruni
- Disney Frozen Olaf Plush and Summer Accessories
In February 2026, a general version of Jasmine was released with an outfit set:
In June 2026, a second outfit for Moana and a doll of her younger sister were released:
In July 2026, American Girl Place locations had "Wayfinder Weekends" that coincided with the release of the Moana live action film. This is the first time American Girl hosted a themed event for a non-AG character. It included a themed tea party with unique foods, Moana-themed doll hair styling and child hair and nail styling, and a free poster with an AG x Disney purchase. Participants got an activity sheet with photos of the American Girl dolls and illustrations of the cartoon Moana.
Also in July 2026, American Girl released a limited edition Alice in Wonderland doll. This was the first limited edition Disney doll that did not also collaborate with Swarovski:
In August 2026, along with two new Bitty Baby bundles, a new outfit and accessory was released for Belle and an outfit for Anna and Elsa each:
- Disney Princess Belle Winter Dress and Cape Outfit
- Disney Princess Belle Enchanted Castle Dining Set and Friends
- Disney Frozen Queen Anna Outfit and Accessories
- Disney Frozen Snow Queen Elsa Outfit and Accessories
- Disney Frozen Elsa Cuddle and Care Set
- Disney Frozen Anna Cuddle and Care Set
Various matching children's dresses have also been released for Belle, Ariel, Anna, and Elsa during the duration of the line.
Gallery of 18" Collector Dolls
Gallery of 18" Playline Dolls
Gallery of Additional Playline Dolls
Gallery of Outfits and Accessory Sets
Gallery of Bitty Baby Cuddle and Care Sets
Gallery of Matching Children's Clothing
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Children's Ariel Dress
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Children's Belle Dress
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Children's Anna Dress
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Children's Elsa Dress
Web Sites
References
- ↑ Three films--El Apóstol (1917), The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), and Peludópolis (1931)--were done prior in other countries and in black and white, with Peludópolis being the first with sound; only The Adventures of Prince Achmed remains with the other two being lost films.
- ↑ Mattel recoups the Disney princess toy license, while Hasbro hangs on to Star Wars, Thomas, Lauren, CNBC.com. 1/26/2022. Accessed 2/9/2024.
- ↑ Mattel and Disney Announce Multi-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Disney Princess and Disney Frozen Franchises, Press release, 1/26/2022. Accessed 2/9/2024.